For this playlist, we head back to the 1960s. All of the bands on the list should be familiar to most of you.
So, where's the twist?
Well, none of the songs in this list made the UK Top20, meaning that some of the tunes (but not all) may be a little less familiar. Having this criteria obviously ruled out a few bands like the Beatles and the Stones (without going really obscure). Anyway, I think there is a pretty good mix for you here.
A bit of a quiz - have a guess at what UK chart position you think each song reached.
Answers at the bottom of the article (give yourself 1 point if you are within 5 places, and 2 points if you get the chart position bang on).
1. The Beach Boys: Surfin' USA
Starting with perhaps a bit of a surprise here. It obviously took a while for the surfing theme to take a hold in the UK, because none of the early Beach Boys singles, including this absolute classic, made the Top20 here. Surfin' Safari, Help Me Rhonda and California Girls also failed to hit the British Top20. Surfin' USA saw Brian Wilson put some surf inspired lyrics (the beach names came from the brother of his then girlfriend, Judy, who was a keen surfer) on to the musical bones of Sweet Little Sixteen by Chuck Berry. Result - a 60s classic!
2. The Animals: Baby Let Me Take You Home
This was their debut single, in 1964, it charted well, but didn't quite make the same chart heights as House Of The Rising Sun and Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. It is however, just as good a song as those two - possibly even better - a great example of the beat sound that was dominating the charts at the time. In fact, it is said that this song was a key influence on Bob Dylan's controversial switch to electric guitar.
3. The Supremes: Come See About Me
Also in 1964 came this lesser known track by the Supremes (although it was a #1 in the US). This was written by the legendary team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and was recorded in the same spell that incredibly also produced Baby Love and Where Did Our Love Go. It has everything you might want in a Supremes song - a sparkling rhythm track, strong vocals and sweet harmonies.
4. The Who: The Kids Are Alright
Time for a mod anthem. This Pete Townsend tune was on The Who's debut album, My Generation, and was later used as the title of a 1979 documentary on the band. Plenty of jangle to be found here, John Entwistle's driving bass and some fairly restrained (by Keith Moon's standards) drumming.
5. The Drifters: Under The Boardwalk
Another 'wait what?' moment. Because yes, this 1964 Atlantic soul gem didn't come close to troubling the UK Top20, although to be fair, it did make 4 in the US (and make it into Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time, in 2010). To prove its enduring quality, it must be one of the most covered tunes, with versions out there by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Sam & Dave, the Tom Tom Club, John Mellencamp and let's not forget, Bruce Willis! Also listen out for the guiro, the Puerto Rican percussion instrument that is so famously associated with the song.
6. The Byrds: Eight Miles High
Apparently written about their flight to London to kick off their 1965 UK tour, but also more than quite possibly about drugs (the assumption of which led to it being banned by many radio stations in the US). The song features some cutting lines about what they found when they got here - both in terms of the weather and the hostile reception from some quarters.
"Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground."
The song shows the influence of both Ravi Shankar and jazz legend John Coltrane and is often referred to as the first track of the Psychedelic Rock era. I love this video from American Bandstand - I think that is Roger McGuinn on the right, looking very much like a 1970s geography teacher!
7. Dusty Springfield: Give Me Time
This comes from Dusty's fifth studio album, The Look Of Love, which was the last on the Philips label before she moved to Atlantic. Not one of her more well known works, this includes the swirling lush orchestral stuff, typical of the time - but her voice cuts through all that... Her voice is phenomenal and shines in what would otherwise be a pretty ordinary song.
8. Brian Poole & The Tremeloes: I Want Candy
This is an interesting one. For those in my generation, the version by Bow Wow Wow is the most well known (#9 in 1982) - but it was originally recorded by The Strangeloves in 1965, the same year that Brian Poole had this minor hit with it. With its distinctive 'Bo Diddley' beat, this is maybe a bit slower than the better known 80s one, but still recognisable (and good).
9. The Monkees: Last Train To Clarksville
This was the debut single by the lovable foursome and another song that you may have thought reached higher than it actually did. Written by hit machines Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the song featured in seven episodes of The Monkees tv show (the most by any song) and featured drummer Mickey Dolenz on lead vocals. Opening with that classic arpeggiated riff and some sunny LA harmonies, this is definitely a bona fide 60s classic.
10. The Kinks: Victoria
We'll finish with a bit of Ray Davies satire on nineteenth century Britain and the Empire! It was the opening song on their 1969 concept album Arthur (Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire). It's driven by a chugging guitar and bass riff not to dissimilar to a steam train, before breaking into a raucous chorus and a lovely bit of brass.
"From the West to the East, From the rich to the poor, Victoria loved them all."
UK Chart Positions:
Just in case you were really bothered - here is the answer to the UK Chart Position quiz.
1. Surfin' USA - #34 (1963)
2. Baby Let Me Take You Home - #21 (1964)
3. Come See About Me - #27 (1964)
4. The Kids Are Alright - #41 (1966)
5. Under The Boardwalk - #45 (1964)
6. Eight Miles High - #24 (1966)
7. Give Me Time - #24 (1967)
8. I Want Candy - #25 (1965)
9. Last Train To Clarksville - #23 (1966)
10. Victoria - #33 (1969)